As we progress from "Methods" students to student teaching, we build on our past work and continue to learn and reflect. For teachers, "reflection" means reconsidering what has transpired in your teaching with an analytical eye in order to learn from past events and posit new actions and strategies. Though this seems like common sense, the hectic page of a teacher's day makes disciplined reflection extremely difficult By completing journal entries, you have a chance to look back on each week and express a few ideas. This task is meant to scaffold your "teacherly" thinking!
RJ01 - Reflective Journal Entry 1 - Due Saturday, Jan 30, 2010
Reflect some of the ways that you want to assess your students, i.e. monitor whether they are understanding what you're teaching.
Describe your (or your CT's) grading policy, i.e. how you will assign scores to represent performance. Explain why you are using this method. If you are continuing your CT's grading policy, explain what you feel are some of its strengths and weaknesses.
Use the template "EDC 484 RJ - Assessment and Grading".
We will use your goals to investigate grading on this Tuesday.
RJ04 -Reflective Journal Entry 4- Due Saturday, March 06,2010
By now, you should have assigned and graded several informal assessments.
Describe the objective and at least one feature of an informal assessment that you have designed.
How have you been using the results of the assessments you've used to improve how you teach and what students learn? What strategies has your CT suggested for providing students with guidance before they do the assignment to improve their performance? What about after the assignment?
You can use the template: "EDC 484 S10 RJ04 - Informal Assessment" to start your journal entry.
RJ05 -Reflective Journal Entry 5- Due Saturday, March 13,2010
Most of you have been teaching for several weeks. Patterns are probably beginning to emerge and classroom routines are probably making you feel more comfortable than you were when you started. Can you still see the teacher that you started this semester wanting to be? Are you satisfied that you're actually teaching or are you concerned that you may be getting immersed in playing the "game of school?" Assess your teaching so far. What are you doing well, and what do you know you need to work on? What evidence are you seeing for both your successes and difficulties? What are you determined to change and why?
There is not template for this entry. Just create a blank page, tell your stories and reflect.
RJ06 -Reflective Journal Entry 6 - Due Saturday, April 10, 2010
With the end it sight, it is useful to reflect on areas of your teaching that we can address in class. Classroom management seems to be an issue that many of you are concerned about. Classroom management is also a big topic. List two to three management challenges you are are trying to improve at this time. Briefly describe some of the techniques that you have already tried. Describe what a class period will look like when these problems are "solved."
There is not template for this entry. Just create a blank page, tell your stories and reflect.
J08 - Reflective Journal Entry 08: - Due Saturday, May 8, 2010
Woohoo! You're done! You made it! Use this last journal entry to "Pay it backward," and to share your wisdom with those who are following in your footsteps. Before you share your ideas, be sure to look back on what has already been suggested to see what needs to be added or reinforced. Use the template "EDC 484 S10 RJ08 - Wisdom" to create this journal entry.
Introduction/Rationale
As we progress from "Methods" students to student teaching, we build on our past work and continue to learn and reflect. For teachers, "reflection" means reconsidering what has transpired in your teaching with an analytical eye in order to learn from past events and posit new actions and strategies. Though this seems like common sense, the hectic page of a teacher's day makes disciplined reflection extremely difficult By completing journal entries, you have a chance to look back on each week and express a few ideas. This task is meant to scaffold your "teacherly" thinking!RJ01 - Reflective Journal Entry 1 - Due Saturday, Jan 30, 2010
RJ02 - Reflective Journal Entry 2 - Due Saturday, February 6, 2010
RJ03 -Reflective Journal Entry 3- Due Saturday, February 20,2010
RJ04 -Reflective Journal Entry 4- Due Saturday, March 06,2010
By now, you should have assigned and graded several informal assessments.Describe the objective and at least one feature of an informal assessment that you have designed.
How have you been using the results of the assessments you've used to improve how you teach and what students learn? What strategies has your CT suggested for providing students with guidance before they do the assignment to improve their performance? What about after the assignment?
You can use the template: "EDC 484 S10 RJ04 - Informal Assessment" to start your journal entry.
RJ05 -Reflective Journal Entry 5- Due Saturday, March 13,2010
Most of you have been teaching for several weeks. Patterns are probably beginning to emerge and classroom routines are probably making you feel more comfortable than you were when you started. Can you still see the teacher that you started this semester wanting to be? Are you satisfied that you're actually teaching or are you concerned that you may be getting immersed in playing the "game of school?" Assess your teaching so far. What are you doing well, and what do you know you need to work on? What evidence are you seeing for both your successes and difficulties? What are you determined to change and why?There is not template for this entry. Just create a blank page, tell your stories and reflect.
RJ06 -Reflective Journal Entry 6 - Due Saturday, April 10, 2010
With the end it sight, it is useful to reflect on areas of your teaching that we can address in class. Classroom management seems to be an issue that many of you are concerned about. Classroom management is also a big topic. List two to three management challenges you are are trying to improve at this time. Briefly describe some of the techniques that you have already tried. Describe what a class period will look like when these problems are "solved."
There is not template for this entry. Just create a blank page, tell your stories and reflect.
RJ07 - Informal Assessment
J08 - Reflective Journal Entry 08: - Due Saturday, May 8, 2010
Woohoo! You're done! You made it! Use this last journal entry to "Pay it backward," and to share your wisdom with those who are following in your footsteps. Before you share your ideas, be sure to look back on what has already been suggested to see what needs to be added or reinforced. Use the template "EDC 484 S10 RJ08 - Wisdom" to create this journal entry.